Markets Wired

After considering public comments, the Federal Trade Commission is extending the deadline for manufacturers to comply with new light bulb labels by approximately six months. The new “Lighting Facts” labels, which were announced last summer, will help consumers choose among the different bulb types currently on the market – traditional incandescent bulbs, and newer more efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. The new labels. that will appear on the back of each package of light bulbs, will provide consumers with information about the bulb’s brightness, estimated yearly energy cost, life, light appearance, and wattage.

Originally scheduled for July 2011, the new labeling requirements will not take effect until January 1, 2012, to provide manufacturers more time to incorporate the new label on their bulb packages. The new labels will not be required for some incandescent bulbs (e.g., 75-watt), which are soon to be phased out by federal efficiency standards. The FTC extended the deadline in response to a petition submitted by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

The FTC encourages manufacturers to begin using the new labels on their packaging before the effective date if possible. Consumers should begin to see the new labels in stores as the deadline approaches.

The Commission vote approving the Federal Register notice announcing the new effective date was 5-0. (FTC File No. R611004; the staff contact is Hampton Newsome, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2889; see related press release dated June 18, 2010.)

Copies of the document mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s website at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.

(FYI 18.2011.wpd)